Practical guides for freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and logistics professionals worldwide.
A 20ft container holds approximately 33.2 CBM of usable space. Multiply each carton's L×W×H to get its CBM, multiply by quantity for total CBM, then divide by 33.2. If the result exceeds 100%, you need a 40ft. This guide covers both the CBM method and unit-count method with worked examples.
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Carriers charge the higher of actual weight or volumetric weight. A 50×40×30 cm box weighing 2 kg has a volumetric weight of 10 kg — so you're billed for 10 kg, not 2. This guide explains the formula, the three divisors (air/courier/ocean), and how to reduce your chargeable weight.
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The factory price is just the start. Once you add freight, import duty, insurance, customs brokerage, and handling, most importers underestimate their true cost by 30–50%. This guide walks through all 7 cost components with a full worked example from Shenzhen to Los Angeles.
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W/M stands for Weight or Measurement — the standard billing method for ocean LCL freight. Carriers charge per revenue ton, using whichever is greater: your cargo's actual weight in tonnes or its volume in CBM. If your 2 CBM cargo weighs 500 kg, you pay for 2 revenue tons, not 0.5.
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EXW looks cheaper but shifts all logistics responsibility — including Chinese export customs — to you from the factory door. FOB is safer and simpler for most importers: the supplier handles export clearance and delivery to port. Here's the full comparison with a side-by-side table.
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You're reviewing a supplier contract and it says "FOB Shanghai" or "CIF Hamburg." Do you know exactly what you're agreeing to? Which party arranges the freight, who bears the risk if cargo is damaged at sea, and who pays for insurance? Getting your Incoterm wrong costs real money. This guide explains EXW, FOB, and CIF in plain language — with cost breakdowns and practical advice for importers.
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LCL and FCL are the two fundamental ocean freight modes. The decision between them isn't just about price per CBM — it's about hidden fees that routinely double the quoted LCL rate, transit time differences, and cargo risk that change the equation completely. This guide gives you the full cost picture and a clear decision framework.
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Choosing the wrong container size means either an expensive rebooking when your cargo doesn't fit, or paying for unused space you didn't need. This guide compares 20GP, 40GP, and 40HC containers on internal dimensions, usable CBM, weight limits, and cost-per-CBM so you can make the right choice before confirming your booking.
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Air freight charges are based on chargeable weight — the higher of actual weight or volumetric weight. If you're quoting an air shipment for the first time, this guide explains the formula, shows you why ignoring volumetric weight causes you to underquote, and compares how FedEx, DHL, and UPS calculate it differently from airlines.
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CBM — cubic meter — is the universal unit freight forwarders use to measure shipment volume. If you just saw "CBM" on a freight quote and don't know what it means, this guide explains the formula, why it directly affects your cost, and how to calculate it correctly before placing your next order.
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